by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

No, actually, we just signed on to a letter to Howard Dean taking a critical look at the state blogger credential selections for the Democratic National Convention.  As Matt Stoller notes, some of the selections were unusual, whether in Michigan or New Jersey or New York, and we're just looking for some answers about the process.  I don't envy the DNC's job here; you're talking about hundreds of blogs in 50 states and only enough room for one each (maybe that was the problem).  But it seems like some more care could have been taken. Marc Ambinder reports on it and prints some of the letter.  Here's the whole thing (on the flip):

Governor Howard Dean

Democratic National Committee

430 S. Capitol St., SE

read more »

by Larry Dudley [courtesy of Blog for America]

Like a few other former Dean For America Meetups, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area got an early start, first coming together to support Governor Dean's candidacy in April, 2003.

 Five years later, we're still together and working for liberal and progressive causes in northeastern New York State, having missed only two meetings in all that time due to venue problems.    

 At our special anniversary meeting we hung up our Howard Dean For America banner for old time's sake. It was a glorious sight that really took all us old Deaniacs back, and we thought the whole DFA community would feel the same way, too.   

 As the Grateful Dead once sang, what a long strange trip it's been!   We've branched out into environmental, energy and other issues.  But we're going to keep on truckin', carrying on the principles of the Howard Dean campaign of working for progressive candidates and causes, fighting right wing extremism and building a new American community.  

by Charles Chamberlain, DFA Field Director [courtesy of Blog for America]

The title of this post says it all. The Chair of the Democratic Party is making it clear that he will NOT allow a floor convention fight.

From TPM: 

"There is no point in waiting," Dean said, adding that despite the newly-found superiority in Democratic organization over the Republicans, "that all doesn't make any difference if people are really disenchanted or demoralized by a convention that's really ugly and nasty."

There is more from USA TODAY:

 "Well I think the super delegates have already been weighing in. There's 800 of them and 450 have already said who they're for," Dean said, according to excerpts sent to us by CBS. "I'd like the other 350 to say who they're for at some point between now and the first of July so we don't have to take this into the convention," which comes at the end of August.

More from the article:

by Kevin Shaw [courtesy of Blog for America]

In an article titled Dr. Rorschach, National Journal's Alexis Simendinger examines the role Governor Dean has played in the Florida/Michigan debacle and the battle in the party over the 50-State-Strategy. The article is generally sympathetic to the situation Gov. Dean finds himself in and seems supportive of his decision to adhere to the rules regarding Florida and Michigan.

The carping from party veterans that Dean is to blame for the Florida and Michigan delegate disputes, or that he has been too passive or ineffectual to tease out a perfect compromise, exasperates aides and admirers who believe that Dean is being set up to be the fall guy, no matter what he does.

His defenders snipe that the same party insiders who tried three years ago to derail Dean's election as head of the party are the ones who now expect him to perform miracles to rescue the party from the negative consequences of the collective crackdown that failed to dissuade Florida and Michigan from holding primaries before February 5.

Later in the article, Simendinger looks at the DNC's fundraising prospects and mentions DFA, Jim Dean and new Commuinications Director Danny Medress:

by Lynn Worpenberg [courtesy of Blog for America]

"Former Sen. Howard Metzenbaum, an Ohio Democrat who was a feisty self-made millionaire before he began a long career fighting big business in the Senate, died Wednesday night. He was 90."

This announcement brought back a wonderful memory. It was the summer of 2003. The local Dean organization (all local volunteers, of course) had managed to get Dean to come to town for a fundraiser, we were all so excited, looking forward to hearing him speak.

Then it was announced that Governor Dean would be holding a press conference down by the river (before the fundraiser) and he would be accompanied by Sen. Metzenbaum. Of course we all turned out for the press conference. It was so exciting, standing there waiting for the Governor to appear, press people (and cameras) everywhere. Then the Gov came around the corner, with the Senator, accompanied by our cheers! Senator Metzenbaum endorsed Howard Dean that day. It was pretty exciting to have someone 'in the inner circle' agree with us! T

hank you Sen. Metzenbaum, and Godspeed.

Lynn in Cincinnati  

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Garry S. Shay
Member
Democratic National Committee

I want to open up a debate here.

For the first time since they were conceived, the votes of so-called "super-delegates" may actually matter with regard to the nomination of the Democratic Party candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States.

As a matter of explanation and illumination, super-delegates are either Governors of States or Territories, members of Congress or members of the DNC. They are un-pledged delegates to the National Convention in Denver. They are either elected by their districts, states, state parties, or other constituencies such as the Democratic State Treasurer’s Association, or the Democratic Municipal Officials Association, or similar organizations. 75 DNC members were nominated by Governor Dean in 2004, and elected by the other DNC members.

The question I pose is not who super-delegates should vote for, but rather how they should come to their decision.

The question is not whether or not they should exist, because the fact is, they do. As my torts professor once said, in his thick German accent, if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a Volkswagen, but she doesn't. Whatever you think of the system itself, it is the reality we work in at this time.

by jhotchkiss2 [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Originally posted to the Progressive Caucus list serve of the California Democratic Party by Garry Shay.

I want to open up a debate here.

For the first time since they were conceived, the votes of so-called "super-delegates" may actually matter with regard to the nomination of the Democratic Party candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States.

As a matter of explanation and illumination, super-delegates are either members of Congress or of the DNC. They are un-pledged delegates to the National Convention in Denver. They are either elected by their districts, states, state parties, or other constituencies such as the Democratic State Treasurer's Association, or the Democratic Municipal Officials Association, or similar organizations. 75 DNC members were appointed by Governor Dean in 2004.

The question I pose is not who super-delegates should vote for, but rather how they should come to their decision.

Edit by Brian: Continued over the flip